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Strengthening Women’s Decision-Making Power: Examining Local Participation in Forest and Pasture Users’ Associations in Albania

Johansson, Victoria LU (2021) MIDM19 20211
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
Efforts to empower Albanian women and strengthen their participation in decision-making in local Forest and Pasture Users’ Associations (FPUAs) have been undertaken by the Environmental Services Project, including implementing the Gender Action Plan. The phenomenon of women’s agency and participation in decision-making in this local setting is examined in this study by answering the following: (I) Who currently holds the majority of decision-making power in FPUAs and why? (II) What factors determine women’s participation and decision-making power in FPUAs? (III) How can women’s participation in and influence on decision-making in FPUAs be enhanced? The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with project implementers and an... (More)
Efforts to empower Albanian women and strengthen their participation in decision-making in local Forest and Pasture Users’ Associations (FPUAs) have been undertaken by the Environmental Services Project, including implementing the Gender Action Plan. The phenomenon of women’s agency and participation in decision-making in this local setting is examined in this study by answering the following: (I) Who currently holds the majority of decision-making power in FPUAs and why? (II) What factors determine women’s participation and decision-making power in FPUAs? (III) How can women’s participation in and influence on decision-making in FPUAs be enhanced? The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with project implementers and an online survey with FPUA members. Findings demonstrate that main determinants connected to economic dependence, double-burden, time poverty, lack of self-consciousness constrain women’s participation and decision-making power. These stem from traditional gender roles that dictate women’s role and responsibilities. Examples of policy enforcement, capacity building, and awareness show positive results in women’s representation and confidence to raise their voice. However, to transform voice into influence on decision-making, collective action, and men’s involvement in women’s empowerment is necessary to address inequities. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Johansson, Victoria LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Women’s Empowerment, Community Based Forestry, Participation, Decision-Making, Agency, Albania
language
English
id
9044055
date added to LUP
2021-06-21 10:26:24
date last changed
2021-06-21 10:26:24
@misc{9044055,
  abstract     = {{Efforts to empower Albanian women and strengthen their participation in decision-making in local Forest and Pasture Users’ Associations (FPUAs) have been undertaken by the Environmental Services Project, including implementing the Gender Action Plan. The phenomenon of women’s agency and participation in decision-making in this local setting is examined in this study by answering the following: (I) Who currently holds the majority of decision-making power in FPUAs and why? (II) What factors determine women’s participation and decision-making power in FPUAs? (III) How can women’s participation in and influence on decision-making in FPUAs be enhanced? The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with project implementers and an online survey with FPUA members. Findings demonstrate that main determinants connected to economic dependence, double-burden, time poverty, lack of self-consciousness constrain women’s participation and decision-making power. These stem from traditional gender roles that dictate women’s role and responsibilities. Examples of policy enforcement, capacity building, and awareness show positive results in women’s representation and confidence to raise their voice. However, to transform voice into influence on decision-making, collective action, and men’s involvement in women’s empowerment is necessary to address inequities.}},
  author       = {{Johansson, Victoria}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Strengthening Women’s Decision-Making Power: Examining Local Participation in Forest and Pasture Users’ Associations in Albania}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}